Numerically controlled electric discharge machining system

Abstract

A numerically controlled electric discharge machining system high in operability. An instruction command such as a machining operation start time and the contents of machining operations are specified with particular NC codes included in an NC program, so that the machining operation is carried out automatically.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A numerically controlled electric discharge machining system comprising: a numerically controlled electric discharge machine for machining a workpiece with electric discharges;   data inputting means for inputting a numerical control program used to control said electric discharge machine, said numerical control program including particular numerical control codes specifying a machining operation start time and the contents of an operation of said electric discharge machine;   means for outputting an absolute time instant;   data processing means for analyzing said numerical control program and particular numerical control codes inputted by said data inputting means, and detecting whether or not said machining operation start time specified with said particular numerical control codes coincides with said absolute time instant provided by said outputting means; and   control means for applying, when said data processing means detects that said, machining operation start time coincides with said absolute time instant, numerical control data to said electric discharge machine to control the operation of said electric discharge machine.   
     
     
       2. The system of claim 1 wherein the absolute time instant is the present time. 
     
     
       3. A numerical control method for a numerically controlled electric discharge machining system comprising the steps of: (a) initializing a memory means for storing a numerical control program;   (b) reading a numerical control program having a plurality of steps and a plurality of control codes into said storing means;   (c) analyzing at least one of said steps of said numerical control program;   (d) controlling said numerically controlled electric discharge machining system based on said numerical control program and at least one operator input when said numerical control program consists of only ordinary numerical control codes;   (e) controlling said numerically controlled electric discharge machining system responsive to said numerical control program when said numerical control program includes a particular numerical control code, said controlling step (c) further comprising the steps of: (i) storing said numerical control code and an operation start time instant in said memory means; and   (ii) when an absolute time instant generated by a means for outputting said absolute time instant coincides with said operation start time instant, controlling said numerically controlled electric discharge machining system responsive to said numerical control program stored in said memory means;     (f) generating an error message when said numerical control program includes at least one error; and   (g) repeating steps (b) through (f) for each of said steps of said numerical control program until said numerical control program includes an end code.